Sheet and envelope feeding device



July 3, 1951 F. J. FURMAN SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1948 INVENTOR BY A il. Wwm:

July 3, 1951 -F. J. FURMAN 2,558,947

SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE Filed May'27, 1948 l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sr: :zzz:

INVENTOR July 3, 1951 F. J. FURMAN SHEET AND ENvELoPE FEEDING DEVICE 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 27, 1948 INVENTOR BY QW/ M July 3, 1951 'F. J. FURMN 2,558,947

SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE INVENTOR FJYFURMAN ATTORNEY July 3, 1951 r. J. FURMAN l n 2,558,947

SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE A.

Filed May 27, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 t l/R4C Y j V1.1. \320 H15 C M u-J /25 R114) TP R19 R42 296 TAH/wm INVEN OR FJ F URM/1N 'ATTORNEY vJuly 3, 1951 Filed May 27, 1948 F. J. FURMAN SHEETv AND ENVELOPE FEEDNG DEVICE 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 RIG 397 @jm-l BYW j ATTORNEY R53 Hma m4 1/5 iff/6 R114 ZR I V lNvEN'roR FJ F URMA/V July 3, 195l F. J. FURMAN 2,558,947

SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE Filed May 27. 194sl 1o shams-sheet 7 INVENTOR July 3, 1951 F. J. FURMAN SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed MP 27, 1948 UNcBuGn-rzn BALANCE DISBURSEMENT VOUCHERS DAT E M0 DAY YR INVENTOR @fam July 3 1951 F. J. FURMAN 2,558,947

SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE Filed May 27, 1948 lO Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR fw Q4/Mai:

July 3 1951 F. J. FURMAN i 2,558,947

SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE Patented July 3, 1951 SHEET AND ENVELOPE FEEDING DEVICE Frank J. Furman, Endicott, N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 27, 1948, Serial No. 29,535

This invention relates in general to means for feeding sheets, envelopes and ledger cards and more particularly to devices for automatically inserting, locating and ej ecting such sheets under control of automatically operated feeding devices in a tabulator.

The invention is illustrated as removable sheet feed attachments for a tape controlled carriage of the kind disclosed in copending U. S. application Serial No. 609,854, filed August 9, 1945, now Patent No. 2,531,885, dated November 28, 1950. In such platen rotating devices, an endless perforated tape is driven in synchronism with the feeding devices and is used as the control for positioning the record material. The length of the control tape is proportioned according to the length of he forms on a continuous record strip, and the control perforations therein are distributed in selected positions to predetermine the feeding start and stop positions, so that lines of printing impressions are put on the forms in a desired arrangement.

The main object of the present invention is to provide means for adapting such tape controlled feed devices for the handling of separate sheets, envelopes, or separate ledger sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide sheet detection and guiding devices to adapt the kind of feed devices ordinarily handling continuous strip stationery to the handling of separate sheets.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatically operated shield or sheet guide which deflects the leading edge of an inserted sheet away from the type and inking ribbon and guides it around the platen. Sheet detector devices are also provided to sense the introduction of a sheet and automatically drop said shield into position before the top of the sheet reaches the printing position. Then, as the body of the sheet is advanced under control of the tape to the first print receiving position, the tape conn trols the automatic withdrawal of the shield from in front of the type before the sheet stops. There-- fore, the shield is under the joint automatic control of the sheet detector and the feed control tape.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved ledger posting devices comprising a toothed wheel for riding along the margin of a ledger sheet and sensing the presence or absence of marginal perforations, each perforation denoting the presence of a line of print on the sheet,

The wheel is connected to contact devices which are disabled when the leading edge of the card 19 Claims. (Cl. 197--127) under the Wheel and become effective only start# ing with the perforation position related to the first line of print. As long as the wheel rotates, denoting the presence of one or moremarginal perferoations, the contacts remain open and the feeding devices continue to advance the ledger Other objects of the invention will be pointed* out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the sheet and en-y velope guide and the automatic shield for dropping in front of the platen.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of the devices` shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View partly in section showing the main carriage supports, thel platen and the removable unit comprising the holder for fixed guides and tables and the automatic shield for the sheets and envelopes.

Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c together form a wiring dia-` gram of the pertinent tabulator and tape unit connections with the new sheet feedV controls shown by heavy lines.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the sheet guidesV and automatic controls to which are added the ledger posting punch and feed control devices.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation view showing the sheet guides in association with a ledger sheet punch and marginal hole detector located at the left side.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view showing` the ledger posting control devices associated with the automatic sheet inserting controls,

Fig. 6a is a Wiring diagram showing in heavy lines the eXtra wiring connections needed to effeet ledger posting control.

It is mentioned hereinbefore that the feed devices are driven by a tape controlled carriage of the kind disclosed in copending application Serial No. 609,854 to which reference may be made for details of the mechanical construction of such devices. In Figs. 1 and 4, it is noted that As printing operations take place,4

the tape controlled carriage TCC is Shown diagrammatically at the right and there has connection with the end of the platen P (Fig. 3) to rotate it to feed sheets upwardly in front of the type T and inking ribbon R arranged directly in front of the platen in the usual fashion.

The electrical controls associated with such automatic carriages and the control thereover by the perforated tape lare given in detail hereinafter in connection with a description of the control wiring and the relay devices associated with the sheet detector and the automatic shield operating devices of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 3, it is seen that the ordinary carriage frame comprises a number of cross bars 2|, 22 and 23 secured at their ends to the main side frame castings 24, upon which are hung all of the paper feed devices. Guided in bearings in the side frames 24 is the shaft of platen P vunder which there are the pressure rollers 25 and 28. The large rear pressure rollers 25 are pivotally mounted on arms 21 fulcrumed at 28 on a shaft which reaches across the width of the feeding unit frame. Extending across the front of the platen P at the printing line .is an inking ribbon R and in front of it is a series of type bars T which may be of the form shown, i. e., the kind adjusted under control of perforated record cards in a tabulator, or they may be in the form of the type in a typewriter or any other kind of recording device.

In order to guide the usual continuous record strip toward the .platen P and the rear pressure rollers 25, the carriage is provided with a slanted table 38 to which is attached an extending table 3| reaching downward toward the intersection of the platen and the feeding roller. Another slanted table 48 is provided to guide individual sheets into the bight between the platen and pressure rollers 25.

VIn order to detect the appearance of a sheet or envelope the moment it is inserted by hand, the feeding devices are provided with a sheet detector or sheet lever 33, the movable end of which is located directly to the rear Yof the point of Ytan-- gency between the platen and the rear pressure rollers 26. One or more of such detector levers may be provided across the machine, according to the position in which the sheets are to be inserted and according to the width of such. sheets. Each lever is pivotally mounted on .a rod 34 which is hung under a bracket 35 secured to the under side of the cross bar 22. In Fig. 4 it is seen that lever '33 is formed with a bail extension 33 at 4the Vfulcrum point for encircling rod 34 at both ends. This gives the lever stability and provides for accurate movement as it swings into and out of the path of the record sheets.

On the under side of lever `33 there is formed a tab 36 (Fig. 5) which rests on a plunger 3l situated in an insulation block 38 secured to the bracket 35. The lower end of the plunger rests on a flexible contact blade 39, one end of which is also secured to the insulation block 38 and the other end of which is movable to on and olf positions in cooperation with the lower contact point of the pair of contacts 48.

When the detector lever 33 is positioned as shown in Fig. 3, it is rocked upward in a clockwise direction about pivot 34 by the spring pressure of the iiexible `contact blade, and is then positioned with the upwardly extending portion contacting the underside Yof the platen and extending into the path of the sheet. Then, when a sheet or envelope is inserted, the forward edge of it strikes against the upper portion of the end of lever 33 and rocks the lever downward in counterclockwise direction, because the sheet extends in a direct line between the intersection of the platen, pressure rollers and the sloping end of table 48. Although the detector lever is moved a slight distance, it is sufcient to cause the plunger 31 (Fig. 5) to ,press down on the blade 39 and close the contacts 40. Closure of these contacts calls into operation the tape controlled feeding unit which then operates to rotate the platen in a clockwise direction to draw the sheet or envelope around to the printing position.

At the sa-me time, that is, immediately upon closure of contacts vill), solenoids are operated to drop the sheet vshield or guide 4I (Fig. 3) in between the platen P and the inking ribbon R, to deect the leading edge of the sheet or envelope upwardly around the platen and away from the type bar T and the ribbon R. The fixed front guide 42 serves to direct the sheet around the lower part of the platen, but at the printing point it needs further guidance. The shield @l is allowed to remain in the lowered position long enough to insure that the leading edge of the sheet is brought above the lower edge of the inking ribbon R, so that there is no possibility of the sheet abutting against the ribbon. When the leading edge of the sheet is advanced sulciently, and just prior to positioning of the record material to receive the iirst record impression, then the operating solenoids for the shield are automatically deenergized to allow the shield to be raised, so that it does not interfere with the type action. The means for mounting and operating the shield are about to be set forth.

The entire sheet controlassembly is held together as a removable unit between side plates 45 (Figs. 1 and 3). The side plates are held together and properly spaced by means of cross shafts 45 and il and the slanted sheet table or guide 48 which extends across the entire unit and is formed with overturned portions 49 (Fig. 5) secured to the inside of the side plates. In Fig. l it is noted that shaft 41 extends beyond both side Vframes and provides cylindrical projections for mounting thev unit on the main frame. Also extending are shouldered studs 58 and 5l for engaging in notches cut in the top oi the main frames 25 and noted in Fig. 3. There it is seen that studs 59 and 5i drop into notches 52, while the extensions of shaft 4l rest on the shoulder of the main frame, and thus the entire unit is held in position but made readily removable whenever it is desired to handle continuous form stationery instead of inserted sheets or envelopes.

Adjustable laterally across the front of paper table 48 is a pair of side guides 55 formed with at portions resting on the surface of table 53 and also formed with upwardly extending sides 56 for cooperating with the side edges of an inserted sheet or envelope. Attached to the top of each side guide 55, and secured to the rear of the flat portion, is a bail formation 58 (Fig. 6) formed with ears encircling cross shaft 45- and slidable thereon laterally to carry the side guide into any one of a number of sheet locating positions. Extending from the bottom of bail 58 is a long straight spring portion 59 in contact with the edge of an angle strip 60 attached to the inside of table 48 and extending across the unit to provide a spring pressure bar. frictional contact between extensions 59 and angle trip 5l! the side guides are held in any set posilons.

By means of the The lower ends of side plates 45 are formed with projections 62 to which are attached the ears 63 of the xed sheet guide 64 extending across the unit and curved to lead the advance edge of the sheet downward into the bight between the platen P and the rear pressure rollers 2B.

Attached to the inner faces of the side plates 45 (Fig. l) is a pair of brackets 56 each holding a solenoid 6l which is operated to raise and lower the shield 4 l. Extending downwardly from the solenoids 6l (Fig. 3) are plungers 68, each pivotally connected to a bell crank 69 fastened to a shaft 10 which extends across the unit. `Outside the side plates 45 there is attached to the Shaft 10 a pair of long horizontally extending arms 1I. Pivotally mounted on the outer ends of said arms 'H at 'i2 are the side portions 13 of a cross member 14 extending across the entire width of the platen. In Fig. 2 it is seen that the central portion of member 14 is cut out and formed with a bent strengthening web l5.

Attached tc the inner face of member '|4 (Fig. 3) is the shield 4| which extends downwardly and is formed with a pair of depending side portions which are wide enough to deflect the advancing edge of sheets or envelopes of any width and keep them away from the ribbon R. The shield 4I is held in a normally raised position by means of a pair of springs 'il each attached at one end to the inside of the side plates and at the other end to the vertical leg of the bell crank 69, thus tending to rock the crank in a clockwise direction and operate arms H in the same direction to raise the shield to a position determined by the adjustable plunger regulating devices 'I8 associated with the solenoids 61. When the solenoids 61 are energized, the plungers 68 are raised, the bell cranks 69 are rocked in a counterclockwise direction against the tension of springs and the arms H are lowered to drop the shield 4| into position to deflect the leading edge o f the sheet away from the ribbon. As soon as the sheet or envelope is advanced sufiiciently, the solenoids are automatically deenergized and the Springs 'l1 are immediately effective to raise the shield.

In order to insure that shield 4| moves in a vertical direction, a pair of side guides are provided for it. Extending forwardly from the side plates 45 is a pair of offset extensions 8U to which is attached a pair of strips 8| each carrying a stud and inwardly projecting roller 82 which rides on the outer surface of the cross member 14 to prevent it from rocking outwardly far enough to place the shield 4| in a position to interfere with the ribbon.

It is noted that the description given hereinbefore is directed in the main to Figs. 1 to 3 and in these figures the sheet and envelope feed is shown without any ledger posting controls. Although it is possible to feed ledger sheets under such conditions, there would be the absence of automatic line finding control, which is desirable in connection with ledger sheets or cards. The portion of the description about to be taken up is concerned mainly with Figs. 4 to 6 which have all of the features common to the sheet and envelope feed devices of Figs. 1-3 and in addition thereto have other devices for punching marginal ledger control perforations and devices for sensing said perforations when a ledger sheet is reinserted for reception of additional printed information.

The ledger posting device is also formed as a removable unit and may be detached whenever it is desired to use the sheet feeding controls for the more elementary forms -of sheets or envelopes.

three marginal perforations 89 related thereto.: It will be noted that the three perforations 86 are not in line with the corresponding printed lnesbut appear near the upper left corner of the ledger sheet. This difference in placement is caused by the position ofthe punch |03 (Fig. 6) which is about two inches above the printing line on the platen. The uppermost marginal` perforationg is spaced away from the leading edge of the ledger sheet under the control of the perforated tape controlling the feeding operation of the carriage as explained hereinafter in describing the electrical controls. These electrical controls for governing feeding also operate to nullify the effect of the leading edge of the ledger on a detector star wheel 9`| which rides over the margin of the sheet to sense the number and placement of the marginal perforations 86. The control is so arranged that lifting of the Wheel by the imperforate portion of the margin between the leading edge and the top marginal perforation does not exercise control. It is only after the wheel cooperates with the area of the rstperforation 96 and one or more succeeding per forations that the control becomes effective to stop the ledger sheet in the position to receive a fourth line of print (in the example shown) when the wheel rides out of thethird perforation and is lifted by the sheet portion directly below the third perforation.

Although in Fig. 5 the sheet is shown in phantom outline and resting on the paper table in an upright readable position, it is not inserted in such position but is turned upsidedown and facing in reverse with the marginal perforations at the left. The sheet 85 is inserted behind the platen P to trigger the detecting lever 33 (Fig. 6)

and thereby initiate feeding operation which serves to rotate the platen clockwise to bring the top edge of the sheet around in front of the platen and up to a readable position wherein it also receives printing impressions.

The devices for punching the marginal posting control holes 86, and for sensing said holes to govern the stoppage of the sheet in position, are mounted as a unit on the extension 45a (Fig. 6) extending forwardly from the left side plate 45 already mentioned in connection with the sheet and envelope feeding devices. Attached to the extension 45a is the rectangular plate 81 which carries a solenoid 88 for operating the punch. Also carried by plate 81 is a rectangular block 89 formed with a slot 99 for receiving and guiding the left marginal portion of the ledger sheet 85. The slot 90 is defined by means of a plate 93 fastened on the slanted front face of the block 89 but spaced away from the face at the right side to provide the slot opening. Curved tab portions 4 la cut and bent out from the shield 4| guide the upper edge of the ledger sheet into the slot l9|] out portion 9| in plate 93 and is so positioned that the teeth thereof, when rotated, extend into the slot 90 and therefore into the path of the marginal edge of the ledger sheet. Wheel 91 is so positioned relative to the bottom of the slot and relative to the location of one of the side guides 56 that it is in alignment with the procession of posting control perforations 86 and rotatable thereby when a previously printed sheet is inserted. Rotation of the wheel does not cause contact closure or feed control; it is only when the wheel is lifted on the imperforate marginal section allotted to perforations, that control contacts are operated thereby. When a new sheet is inserted, the wheel 91 and the lever 96 holding it are rocked outwardly and held there as the sheet advances a short distance, and this lever movement is used to control stopping the sheet in position to receive a line of print on the first recording line.

At the top end of lever 96 there is secured an extension 98 which cooperates with one blade of a pair of contacts 99 extending from an insulation block fastened to the upper end of block 89. These contacts 99 are closed by clockwise rotation of lever 96 about pivot 95 and this is an indication that an imperforate marginal portion of the ledger sheet is passing under and lifting the wheel 91.

The initial closure of contacts 99 by the top marginal edge of the ledger sheet is made ineffective by a delay in the initial timing to be described hereinafter. However, once the sheet position is reached wherein marginal perforations are supposed to be present when the sheet has lines of print, then the contacts 99 are effective to control stoppage of the sheet feeding devices, so that the sheet is put in position differentially to receive a printing impression. When one or more marginal perforations 86 appear under the wheel 91, one or more teeth of the rotating wheel drop into said perforation or perf orations, and the result is that the lever 96 swings counterclock- Wise to again open contacts 99.

The length of time that the contacts 9S are held open during the feeding movement cf the ledger sheet is determined by the number of marginal perforations therein and, therefore, the number of lines of print already on the sheet. As long as perforations appear under Wheel 91, the teeth thereon rock into said perforations successively and the wheel is merely rotated without having any swinging action on the lever 9S. However, as soon as the bottom perforation on the sheet passes above the center of the wheel, the tooth following the tooth in the perforation is raised on the surface of the ledger sheet and cams the lever 96 outwardly to rock it in a clockwise direction and again close contacts 99. This second closure of contacts 99 by a ledger sheet is used to control the feeding devices to stop them when the sheet is positioned far enough beyond the wheel 91, so that the last marginal perforation is one line space above the position of the punch |93, which is situated in block 89, above the wheel 91 and operated by means about to be described.

Fastened to the inner face of plate `|31 is a pair of brackets I9@ for carrying a punch operating solenoid 88. Extending upwardly out of solenoid 88 isa plunger |08 around which is wound a compression spring |09 serving to hold it in an upwardly extended position. At the upper end the plunger |08 is pivotally connected at ||0 to a lever II I fulcrummed at I|2 on the side of plate 81. On the free end of lever Ill there is articulated the upper end of alink H3, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to a bell crank |14 pivoted on a rod II5 extending through a bearing block H6 fastened to the side of blockV 89. The lower end of the vertical arm of bell crank IIA is formed with a ball-shaped extension engaging in an annular notch formed around the inner end of the punch |63. A perforation coinciding with the punch position is formed in the auxiliary plate 93 which therefore acts as a die plate for the punch when it is extended outwardly through the ledger sheet.

As an incident to each printing operation, the solenoid 88 is energized and attracts the plunger |98 which in its downward movement carries link I I3 along in the same direction, thereby rocking bell crank II4 clockwise and pushing the punch 03 toward the left through the ledger sheet 4B5 and cutting one of the marginal perforations 86.

As shown in the wiring diagrams, Figs. 3ft-3c, and 6a, the electrical controls of the sheet and ledger feed devices are coordinated with the tape feed controls and the controls of an alphabet printing tabulator. The tabulator is of the type described in United States Patents Nos. 2,079,418 and 2,172,067 and 2,199,547, to which reference may be made for details of construction. Before describing the manner in which the sheet feedV and ledger feed controls function and the influence thereon by the control tape and the ordinary tabulator control, it is believed well to outline the usual tabulator operations.

In such machines a motor TM (Fig. 3a) operates through two main clutches, the card feed control clutch CFCM for card feeding and the print clutch magnet PCM for control of the printing devices. A number of CF cam contacts operateV only when the card feeding clutch is engaged. Certain PM contacts operate only when the printer clutch is engaged. Other CB contacts operate all the time that the motor TM is active.

Associated with the start key contacts KI (Fig. 3a) and the stop key contacts K2 is a pair of control relays RII and RIZY for setting up running circuits and holding circuits for the card feed clutch magnet CFCM which is held in operation as long as cards continue to feed and as long as the group number perforations thereon agree.

In listing operations a card passes the lower brushes LB (Fig. 3c) in synchronism with the upward movement of the type bars. Magnets PR. operate stop pawls to locate the type barsv in positions corresponding to the data punched in the card and, at a predetermined time, hammers are tripped to record the information on the record material. Therefore, listing operation requires energization of the card feed clutch magnet CFCM to advance the cards, and energization of the printer. clutch magnet PCM for raising the type bars. that relay RIS is connected to card feed clutch magnet CFCM by a wire 339 so that the relay is operated to call in relay RIG to prepare printing connections when cards are feeding.

The printer clutch magnet PCM is called into operation under control of relays RIE and RIB when switch SI is set for listing operation. The printer operating circuit includes line 329, contacts RII?) or CFI2, wires 321, 339 and 343, contacts RISb, wire 344, printer clutch magnet PCM and line 32|.

Adjustment of the type bars is regulated by mimpulses carried to magnetsPR (Fig. 3c) fromr It is noted in Fig. 30aY the lower brushes LB. A printing control circuit involves line 32D, contact breakers CBI-4, wire 328, timer contacts CFII and CFI8, wire 346, lower card lever relay contacts R4a, common brush 345, contact drum 341, through the card and a lower brush LB, the brush socket, plug Wire 349, socket AI, normally closed contact TSa, magnet PR and line 32 I.

Group control devices are provided for separately considering different classes or groups of cards as distinguished by different group number perfcrations for different groups. Consecutive cards are compared; one card being read at the upper brushes UB while the preceding card is read at the lower brushes LB. As long as the card readings are alike, the card feed continues to function. When the machine senses that the two group readings are not alike, the card feed unit stops while the tape control unit ejects a record sheet or envelope.

The comparing circuits are connected by plug wiring between control pickup coils and certain upper and lower brushes devoted to sensing group number perforations. An example of the comparing circuits is as follows: line 32D (Fig. 3c), cam contacts CBI-CB4, wire 328, timer contacts CFI? and CFI8, contacts RZa, common brush 329, contact roller 33D, through the perforation in the card sensed by upper brush UB, plug wire 381 connected from a socket in line with the upper brush to a socket 383 in line with the pickup coil of relay RIZQ, contacts RASS?) and wire 369 to line 32|. As long as group numbers agree, a companion circuit to that already traced is set up at the same time through a pickup coil of a related relay RI3D as energized through the lower brushes by the following circuit: line 32D (Fig. 3c), cam contacts CBI-CBL wire 328, contacts CFII and CFI 8, wire 34S, contacts R4a, common brush 345, contact roller 341, through a perforation in the card sensed by the lower brush LB, a plug wire 389 connected to socket 39D, pickup coil of relay RI3D, contacts RI'IZb, wire 359 and line 32 I.

Relays RIZQ and RI3D have holding coils and contacts in series therewith for sustaining the comparing circuit connections. The holding circuit includes line 32D, cam contacts CF2D, CFZI, wire 39|, contacts RI 29a, the holding coil of relay RIZD, wire 386, wire 369 and line 32|. In a similar fashion the other pairs of holding coils are picked up and held as a part of the comparing control.

Referring to the upper left corner of Fig. 3c, it is seen that the pairs of comparing relays are associated with pairs of contacts so arranged that, when a related pair, such as relays RI29 and RI3D, are energized at the same time, they fail to provide a circuit path. However, should one or the other be energized alone, showing that there is a disagreement in the group control perforations, then a circuit is established for initiating group control operation. Assuming that there is a disagreement in the group numbers in the highest order and that relay RIZ!) is energized before relay RI3D, then the following circuit is established for setting up a minor control operation: line 32D (Fig. 3c) cam contacts CBII, CBlB, the left contacts RI29a, the right contacts Ri 38a, a plug wire connection between the socket 385, plug wire to socket MI, pickup coil of relay R53, and line 32|. A holding circuit is established for relay R53 and it operates other contacts in series with a minor control relay RBI. Associated with relay RDI are two other minor controlV relays R63 and R35 which are energizedalong 'with it. These relays have contacts throughout the machine for controlling the suspension of card feeding, the initiation of total taking, etc.

Referring to Fig. 3a, it is seen that the minor control relay RBI has contacts R6Ib in series with the pickup coil of relay RII for governing the continuance of operation of the card feed clutch magnet CFCM. When the minor control is exercised, the contacts RGIb are opened to prevent energization of the pickup coil of relay RI I. In this manner the card feed mechanism is stopped when succeeding cards are not punched alike inthe group control field.

The foregoing sections of the description dealing with the Wiring and electrical controls are concerned, in the main, with the devices usually found in tabulating machines. The following portions of the specification are devoted to the features of the tape control of record feed and the way the controls are coordinated with the tabulator. v Many of the controls in the tape feed unit are arranged in the part of the wiring diagram shown in Fig'. 3b. There it is seen that the motor M is in continuous operation by means of a circuit which is established from line 32D, through wire M5, the tape door contacts DC, motor M, and wire 4I6 to line 32|. Associated with motor M are two clutches, the one being controlled by the low speed magnet LS which is energized alone Vfor line spacing and overflow skipping, and the other clutch is calledgin by magnet LS and the high speed interposer magnet HS which is energized to clutch other gearing to skip upon the printing of a total. Much of the wiring in Fig. 3b is concerned with the operation of one or both of these two clutch control magnets, and stopping the platen P and tape drum 23| to which the clutches are connected.

Also shown in Fig. 3bI is a diagrammatic representation of the tape feed drum 23| holding the control tape TP with a commutator 24| extending to control line spacing in addition to the other spacing controls exercised by feed control indicia in the tape in association with fifteen tape sensing brushes BI to BI5.

As an accompaniment to every printing operation ,it is desired to effect controls for line spacing the record such as envelope E and also for advancing the control tape TP to move in synchronism therewith. On every printing operation the PM cam contacts are operated and certain of these are devoted to control for line spacing. In Fig. 3a, it is shown that three such cam contacts PMID, PMI I and PMI2 are situated in parallel connections and all in series with'wiring leading to the pickup coil of a relay RI 9 which controls selection of the low speed clutch magnet LS. These three PM cam contacts are 'timed differently to control the time that the line spacing operation takes place with'respect to printing. The PMI I cam contacts are closed at a time while the type bars are moving upward and thereby cause an advance of the platen before printing takes place. Therefore, spacing which is controlled by the PMII cam contacts is referred to tacts PMI2 are used for space skipping and are .effectivewhenever a-tape brush is selected for 'what is usually a plural line movement of predetermined length.

The operation of line spacing is not only 'affected by the timing of the PM cams but it is vdownstroke spacing operation after every major total recording, Vand upon the printing of nal totals there is a downstroke space after the second total cycle.

The timing of the line space control impulses is made accurate with respect to the tape feed because the wheels for circuit breaker contacts 295 and 296 are geared directly to the tape feeding drum 23! and proportioned to turn one revolution for each cycle of the tape feed. The wheels have teeth for operating the breaker contacts 295, 296 to close 24 times in each cycle of operation of the tape feed wheel and commutator cylinder 24|. When operating for single line spacing, the impulse through contacts 295 and 2 96 is used directly to terminate spacing. For multiple line spacing, the second or third closure of contacts 295 and 296 creates an impulse passing through the commutator segments 242e or 242 to stop the feed platen after two or three line spaces of movement. For space skipping, when the length of feed is determined by the location of a perforation in the tape TP, circuit breakers 295 and 296 also govern the time that the impulse is sent through the tape brush, for they are adjusted .l

the brushes BI4 and BI5, so that when feeding is initiated they make no contact until segments 242e or 242 are encountered.

Whenever a group indication or listing cycle is taken, a circuit is initiated to start the platen moving for upstroke line spacing as follows: from line 326 (Fig. 3a), the circuit is directed through cam contacts CB52, relay contacts Rd, wire 431, wire 433, minor control contacts R63?) normally closed, cam contacts PMII, wire 439 (Fig. 3b), the pickup coil of' relay RI9 and wire 4I6 Vto line 32 I. The pickup coil then operates to close associated contacts RI9a for setting up the holding circuit for relay RI9 through the stop contacts ST and the normally closed disabling contacts HSIa.

Relay RIS then closes contacts Rl9b in series with the low speed clutch magnet LS. The circuit for starting the rotation of the platen follows a path through line 320, wire 4I5, contacts RlSb, lower contacts R34b closed as soon as the feed unit is made effective, normally closed contactsv HS4a, magnet LS and wire 4I6 to line 32|.

After the platen has been turned through an arc equal to one line space, the circuit breakers 295 and 296 close to send an impulse through relays for rdisabling the clutch magnet LS. The line spacing stop circuit is as follows: line 320, wire 4I5, circuit breakers 295 and 296, switch L set to select single spacing, wire 420, the normal- CFI 1y closed left contacts R32b, the-normally closed series of brush relay contacts RI92b to RIZUb inclusive, wire 42|, normally closed relay contacts R4Ia and R2c, wire 422, relay contacts RIM, control relays HS4 and HSI, and wire 4I6 to line 32|. Relay I-IS4 acts to terminate the line spacing operation by opening the contacts HSM in series with the clutch magnet LS. The spacing control relay RI9 is also deenergized by the operation of relay HSI which opens contacts HS I ain series with relay RI 9.

A number of downstroke line space initiating circuits are made as an aftermath of printing operations in listing and tabulating. Considering first the circuit established after item rccording; the connections canbe traced from line 320 (Fig. 3c), through cam contacts CB53, relay contacts R8d, wire 431, switch S2 in the list position, cam contacts CFI3, wire 440, cam contacts PMID, relay contacts R341) closed whenever the skipping selection devices are dormant, wire 439 (Fig. 20h), relay pickup RI9, wire [H6 and line 32 I. The space selecting relay RI 9 then operates to call into action the low speed clutch magnet LS as already described with relation to upstroke spacing. i n

When the tabulator is set for tabulating operations and switch. S2 (Fig. 3a) has been moved to the right of the position shown, then the line space starting circuit follows a somewhat different path, in that the cam contacts CFI3 are out of the circuit path. Instead, the circuit continues through wire 438 and through the major space control relay contacts R592 and then over t'o wire 449 and continues on from cam contacts PMI@ as already described.

After the platen starts rotating as the result of an impulse from the downstroke selection circuits, it is stopped by closureV of the platen circuit breakers 295 and 296, through circuit connections already describedhereinbefore with relation to stopping the feed after one, two or three line vspaces of upstroke spaces.

At the lower right hand corner of Fig. 3b, it is noted that there is a series of nine plug sockets extending from a cascade of contact connections narrowing down to a single line interrupted by cam contacts CB`3'3. These plug connections are directional selecting devices for selecting one or the other of the tape sensing brushes to determine the stopping. point of the record strip according to changes in group numbers, and also to skip portions of the record which would be otherwise imprinted upon under control of record cards erroneously placed in association with cards of a different account.

The circuit connections are established by means of combinations of contacts operated by one or more of the relays R21, R29, R25 and R26 indicative of card changes and errors in grouping.

If an error in group control numbers should be detected while detail cards are being analyzed, then relay R26 becomes active to close contacts R26d. `Since there is a connection to the normally closed contacts R295 and RZlb, plug socket NX.NXE is made eifective to carry an impulse to initiate sheet space skipping by calling in relay RI62 for controlling both starting and stopping of the sheet as pointed out hereinafter.

rI'he foregoing sections of the description of wiring deal mainly with the electrical controls for governing the operation of the tabulator and' tape feeding Vcontrols cooperating therewith. The section of the description about to be taken devices.

13 up is related Ymainly to the novel controls for the sheet and envelope feeding devices and the ledger posting devices.

On the four sheets of drawings representing .the wiring, the connections for the new controls are shown in heavy lines to distinguish them from the ordinary wiring. Three of these sheets (Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c) are concerned mainly with the electrical control needed when handling inserted sheets and envelopes. The fourth sheet (Fig. 6a) shows the extra controls necessary when handling ledger sheets. It is understood that along with the electrical controls shown on Fig. 6a, use is also made of the controls shown in Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c when governing the insertion of ledger sheets. In other words, for sheet and envelope control, only those devices shown in the heavier lines on the three sheets, Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c are needed, while more extensive control is necessary, represented by all four sheets of wiring, when ledger posting control is desired.

Before going into the description relating to controls for governing sheet and envelope insertion it is believed well to point out the dimensional relationship between a sample sheet or envelope and the control tape TP perforated so as to work with it. Referring to the upper left corner of Fig. 3b it is seen that an envelope E is placed along side a related portion of a control tape TP. Although the record material here is shown as an envelope bearing three lines of print it will be realized that the same control applies to a sheet suited to receive one or more lines.

In the diagrammatic representation of the envelope E and the tape TP there is a vertical relationship which applies to their actual position as found in the machine. If an imaginary line is drawn across the top of the envelope E and continued across the tape TP then this association is representative of the synchronized positions of both sheets of material at the same time. In other words, when the top of the envelope is at the printing line on the platen, then the imaginary line across the tape TP is directly under the line of tape sensing brushes BI-BI2. This relationship is carried out also by the perforations appearing in the tape TP. It is noted that the first or uppermost perforation la shown in the first position on the tape (i. e., in alignment with the first brush BI at the left) is shown at a position advanced with respect to the top of the envelope E. 'Ihis perforation Ia represents one o several home positions of the tape and is i. stopping position for the tape. When the previously handled envelope was ejected, the tape advanced so that BI dropped into perforation Ia, and a circuit was completed to stop the feeding The vertical distance between perforation Ia and the iirst line of print on envelope E represents the distance that the envelope must travel from the point of insertion to the printing line. Before the envelope reaches the printing line, a perforation I2a is sensed in the tape and this is used to deenergize the solenoids 6l which were activated to lower the shield, so that the shield is raised before the envelope arrives at the print receiving position. It will be remembered that the advancement of both envelope E and tape TP is initiated by the closure of contacts 40 (Fig. 3) as operated by the sheet detection lever 33, and that the solenoids for lowering the shield were energized at the same time.

Soon after the shield is raised out of the printing position by the controls called into operation by perforation I2a (Fig. 3b) another tape perforation 9d is encountered, and this-is the control for stopping the envelope in position to receive the first line of print. From then on the tabulator continues to function to print line after line interspersed with line spacing operations until there is a disagreement between groups of cards showing that data relating to a new account is coming up for recording. Then the machine automatically goes into an envelope ejection and tape feeding operation which is terminated by the appearance of another home position perforation Ib under the related tape sensing brush BI which controls devices for stopping the tape. Meanwhile the envelope has been ejected because in length it is shorter than the extent of feed governed by the space between the home perforations la and Ib. In other words, the space on the tape between perforations Ia and Ib is related to one piece of record material, such as envelope E, and all the other control perforations such as 9a and I2a within that area, govern the other functions related to envelope feeding.

Assuming that the tabulator is conditioned with the rst address card about to go under the lower brushes and that all the proper plug wire connections have been made for the group control devices and that the switches governing sheet feeding as distinguished from ledger card feeding have been set, then upon the insertion of a sheet or envelope the controls are effective as follows; Upon the insertion of an envelope, the detector lever 33 (Fig. 3c) is rocked and contacts 4|] are closed to set up a circuit through the pickup coil of relay RI I 4. The complete circuit includes line 32B, wires I2!) and |2|, contacts 4|), wire |22, normally closed relay contacts RI |512, the pickup coil of relay RI I 4 and line 32 I. The relay then closes contacts RI Ida to set up a holding circuit and at the same time other contacts RI Idb are closed to provide a circuit through the solenoids 61 which, it will be remembered with reference to Fig. 3, are used to drop the shield 4I between the platen and the ribbon. The holding circuit includes line32ll, wire |20, wire |23, normally closed relay contacts RI I 6c, relay contacts RI Ida, and the holding coil of relay RI I4 and line 32|. The circuit for the solenoids 6'! comprises line 320, wires |20, |23, normally closed relay contacts RIIBb, the normally open relay contacts RI IlIb now closed, sole* noids 61 and line 32 Relay RI I4 in addition to causing the operation of the shield for deflecting the leading edge of the envelope, also initiates operation of the tape control feeding devices so that the platen is rotated to move the entering envelope towards the print receiving position. The circuit for initiating a sheet feeding operation may be traced from line 320 (Fig. 3a) through the cam contacts CB52, C1353 and CB54, wire |24 (Fig. 3b), relay contacts RIIIIc, Wires |25 and dIB, normally closed relay contacts Rda, starting control relay RI9 and wire MS to line 32|. The energization of relay RIIlbperates in the ordinary way to effect clutching as though the feeding space key S had been depressed and there is started a space skipping operation which is terminated when the tape sensing brush B9 detects the perforation 9a. feeding operation a number of other controls are effective.

A relay R||5 is provided as a form of interlock between the feeding device and the solenoid control relay RIM. The object of these devices is to break the pickup circuit through the insertion detection contacts 4D and relay RI I4 dur- I-Iowever, during thek l ing the insertion of one envelope to prepare the connections for the appearance of the second envelope. As soon as sheet feeding is started, relay RIS closes contacts RIS@ and a circuit is directed through the pickup coil of relay RI I5 which is wired in parallel with an ordinary control relay R46 as shown in Fig. 3b. The circuit includes line 320, wires 4I5 and 4II, the closed feed stop contacts ST, relay contacts RIQa, wire 4| I, the pickup coil of relay RI I5, Wire 4I6, and line 32|.

Referring to the bottom of Fig. 3c it is seen that relay RI I5 not only breaks the connections to the pickup coil of relay RI'I4 by open contacts RII5b, but it also sets up a holding circuit by the closure of contacts RI I5a. The holding circuit includes line 320, wires |20 and |2I, detector contacts 4G closed as long as an envelope is around the platen, wire |22, contacts RI I5a, the holding coil of relay RII5 and line 32| As soon as the end of the envelope passes under the platen showing the need for preparation for reception of a second envelope, then the contacts 40 open and relay R|I5 is again deenergized and connections are reestablished to relay RI I4 to prepare for a feed initiating operation in connection with the second envelope.

As shown in Fig. 3c a second pair of contacts 40 is shown in dotted lines as arranged in shunt around the detector contacts 4G already men tioned. These extra contacts may be provided in one or more positions across the length of the platen in the event that narrow sheets are to be used in different positions on the platen. As many contacts are provided as desired so that sheet insertion detection extends across the entire carriage.

Before the envelope reaches the first printing line, the tape TP (Fig. 3b) moving in synchronization therewith places the perforation |20r under the sensing brush BI2 to effect electrical controls for deenergizing the solenoids 'I so that the shield is withdrawn. This is done at a point when it isv sure that the leading edge of the envelope is beyond interference with the ribbon and the type. The control includes the relay RIIG which controls contacts RI'IEb (Fig. 3c) already noted as being in series with the solenoids 61 and normally closed to provide a holding circuit for the solenoid to keepl the shield in a lowered position during the initial portion of the envelope inserting cycle.

The circuit for energizing the pickup coil of relay RI I6. includes line 320 (Fig. 3b), wire 4&5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 295 in the tape feeding unit, the common brush BIS, a conductive portion of the tape drum 23|, sensing brush BI 2 extending through perforation |'2a, Wire 4M, switch ESI wire I 26, the pickup coil of relay R I|6- and line 32|. As shown at the bottom of Fig. 3c the relay RIIIi performs three operations. Byv the closure of contacts RII'Ba it provides a 'holding circuit for the relay, by the open-ingl of' contacts RI. Ib it deenergizes the solenoids El to raise the shield, and by the opening of contactsl RI I5@ it deenergizes the relay RI I4 to prepare for control by a second envelope. All this is done whiley contacts 4.0 remain closed by the presence of a sheet or envelope around the platen. The holding circuit for relay RI I6 includes line 320, wires |20 and I2I, contacts 40, wire |22, relay contacts RI-Ia, the holding coil of relay RIfIG- and line- 32:1.`

Asthe envelope and tape continueto` feed (Fig. 3b.), a predetermined line is reached which is lselected to receive the rst line of print such as the name line on the envelope and this is correlated with the position of the perforation 9a on the tape TP. The perforation 9a is used to call into operation a relay |I'I which performs the functions of stopping the envelope feed and initiating operation of the tabulator to feed the record cards so that the data thereon may be sensed to control the printer. The circuit for the pickup coil of relay RI II is as follows: from line 320, through wire 4|5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 2%, common brush BIS, contact drum 23|, tape sensing brush B9 extending through perforation 9a, wire I2?, switch ES2, wire |28, the pickup coil of relay RII'I and line 32|.

Relay RI I1 then closes contacts RI I'Ib in series with the high speed relays HSI and HS4 which are used to break certain of the tape feeding controls to stop the feeding operation. The circuit through these devices includes line 320, wire 4|5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 29E, wire |29, relay contacts RIIIb, relay contacts Rlgd, relays HS4 and HSI, wire H5 and line 32|.

The other control effected by relay RI'I'I is shown in Fig. 3a and there the contacts RI II are normally open, but arranged in shunt around the start key contacts KI so that when relay RI I'Il operates it closes a circuit through the start key connections and calls into operation relay RI 2 which in turn effects operation of relay RII and that in turn closes contacts RI Ib in series with the card feeding clutch magnet CFCM so that card feeding and sensing is started and carried on in the usual way.

After card feeding is started, the cards continue to feed in succession under the upper brushes UB, and then the lower brushes LB where they are analyzed to control the printer. As an incident to the printing of each line of print, a line spacing operation is caused in the usual way.

Printing of data such as a three line address on envelope E continues until there is a change of group number or an error in number perforations on a heading card. In either instance there is a group change, indicating that printing should step and card feeding should stop whilethe envelope is ejected.

The circuit for the group change or error detecting devices can be followed from line 32B (Fig. 3c) through cam contacts CBI'I and CBI8, and then through any of the contacts RI29a RI3'3a', or contacts RISIIa-RI 34a, closed at times not coordinated with each other, thus indicating a change in group number, and then to a plug socket 445 and through a plug wire to the pickupV coil of relay R26, one of the coils of which isv shown near the bottom of Fig. 3b and usedv to control suspension of the card feed in the tabulator and ejection of the envelope along with a return of the tape TP to the home position.

Upon a group change and energization of relay R26, two relays R2I and RI02 (near bottom of Fig. 3b) are energized to eject the envelope, and bring the tape to a starting position. The cirjcuitfor the two relays includes line 326 (Fig. 3a), wire 340, card lever relay contacts R311, wire 441, rela-y contacts R8C closed by the initial card feed' ofthe tabulator, wire 41%8v (Fig. 3b), cam contacts CB33, normally closed contacts R2lb and R291),

relay contacts R25d closed by the group change,Y

plug socket' NX-N'XEI, and plug wires to both relays R2'I and RI02, and line 32|.

' When'- rel'ay R2I is energized it opens contacts 17 R2Ib (Fig. 3a) which has the effect of deenergizing relays R|2 and RI I, and there results the opening'of contacts RI ib in series with the card feed clutch magnet CFCM which is deenergized and then stops the card feed.

At the same time that relay R||32 selects a stopping control brush it also initiates tape skipping and envelope ejection because relay R34 (not shown) is deenergized and contacts R34a (Fig. 3a) are allowed to close when relay RIIJ2 is picked up. Contacts R3l|a are in a circuit for establishing tape feed clutch connections to initiate feeding as follows: line 326 (Fig. 3a), cam contacts CBM, wire 213i?, cam contacts PMI2, relay contacts RSa, Wire 439 (Fig. 3b), the pickup coil of relay RI@ and wire @I6 to line 32|. Relay REQ then acts to close contacts RI9b in series with the high speed clutch interposer magnet HS. The feed initiating circuit includes line 326, wire M5, contacts RI9b, contacts R34a, normally closed contacts R420, magnet I-IS and wire M6 to line I. Interposer magnet HS then closes contacts I 'l to call in the clutching magnet LS. Magnet LS then operates to close the clutch connections between the motor and the platen drive shaft to rotate the platen and at the same time advance the feed control tape TP.

Energization of relay R|62 (Fig. 3b) causes closure of contacts RI 02D, thus placing tape brush BI in a stopping control circuit which is completed upon the sensing of oncoming tape perforation lb in the first column. After the envelope E has been ejected, and when. the following circuit is established through the tape, the feed clutch connection is broken and the tape Stops in one of the "home positions.'| The stopping circuit includes line 320, wire M5, circuit breakers 295, 296, common brush BI3, the conductive portion of the tape drum 23|, through the perforation Ib in the tape and through brush BI, wire 455, contacts RIJZb, wire 32|, contacts R4Ia,

Vcontacts R20c, wire 422, contacts RI 9d, relays HSA and HSI, wire M6 and line 32|. Relay HSI then opens contacts HSla in series with holding coil of relay RI9, thereby deenergizing the relay and causing it to open contacts RI9b in series with the clutch magnet LS and inter-:poser magnet HS so that tape skip feeding is terminated.

The foregoing section of the description of the electrical controls deals mainly with the devices used in conjunction with the sheet or envelope feed devices of Figs. 1-3. The section about to be presented relates to the ledger sheet handling controls for the devices of Figs. 3 6. There is quite a number of similar parts used for both, because the ledger sheet also cooperates with a sheet insertion detection lever 33 (Fig. 6) and quires a pair of solenoids 61 for operating a shield 4|. Therefore, the wiring controls already described with reference to Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c, are also used to control the insertion of ledger sheets and, in addition thereto, there are the controls of Fig. 6a involving the star wheel contacts 99 for posting line determination and solenoid 83 for punching marginal holes 86.

Initially, the insertion of a ledger sheet causes the same operations as the insertion of a sheet or envelope, i. e., contacts (le (Fig. 3c) are closed and relays RIM, RII5 and RII cooperate to initiate feeding and operate solenoids 67 to lower the shield. Furthermore, tape TP' (Fig. 6a) for the ledger sheet controls has a perforation |2b for calling in the pickup coil of relay RI I6 (Fig. 3b) for withdrawing the shield.

4 Instead of a perforation such as V9ct (Fig. 3b),

tape TP (Fig. 6a) has a perforation 2a for calling in relays RI I8 and RI I9 to delay action of the star wheel contacts 99 until the imperforate tape edge of the ledge sheet is past the star wheel and the wheel is in position to run over the part of the margin where posting control perforations 86 are to be found.

A number of delay relays RIZD, R|2| and R|22 are provided (Fig. 6a) and operated under control of the star wheel contacts to delay stoppage of the ledger sheet feed after the star wheel passes over the last marginal perforation 86. The reason for such delay is the spacing between the star wheel 9'! (Fig. 6) and the punch |03. It is necessary to advance the sheet 22/3 line spaces beyond the point at which the absence of a marginal perforation is detected under the star wheel This is done to put the last marginal hole beyond the star wheel, one line space beyond the punch |03, and the sheet is then ready to receive another marginal perforation when a line is printed.

The card feed auto start relay RI I1 (Figsb) instead of being under control of the ninth column tape sensing brush B9 as with envelopes, is placed in series (Fig. 6a) with the star wheel contacts 99 by switch LSZ so that, in the case of handling ledger sheets, the tabulating cards are advanced for sensing only after the star Wheel 91 is raised over an imperforate marginal area which occurs when the sheet is advanced suiciently to place the previously printed matter just beyond the printingline.

Assume now that a ledger sheet (Fig. 6a) has been inserted, and that the detector lever contacts 49 (Fig. 3c) have initiated feeding and caused the shield to drop. Next7 the perforation I2b (Fig. 6a) is sensed and relay RI|6 (Fig. 3b) opens contact RI I 6b (Fig. 3c) to deenergize the solenoids 91 and allow the shield to be raised. The ledger sheet 85 continues to advance until the perforation 2a (Fig. 6a) calls a pair of relays R||8 and R||9 into operation just before the leading edge of the ledger sheet gets under the star wheel for the line finding start conditions. The circuit includes line 32D, wire 4I5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 296, common brush BIB, tape drum 23|, brush B2 extending through perforation 2a, wire |30, switch LSI, wire |3l, the pickup coils of relays RI I8 and RI I9 and line 32 I. Relay RI I 8 is a faster operating device than RI I9 for reasons about to be explained. I

The holding coil of relay RII8 is picked up prior to the action under control of brush B2. This early energization of relay RI I8 is by means of relay RI I4 which, it will be remembered by reference to Fig. 3c, is called in by insertion con' tacts :i6 directly upon presentation of a sheet. Relay RI |4 closes contacts RI |40 and the holding coil of relay RI I8 is energized as follows: line `326, wire 393, wire |32, contacts Rlldc, holding coil RHS and line 32|. Then relay RIIB operates early in sheet insertion operation to open contacts RIIBb in series with the star wheel contacts 99 to insure that posting control does not start prematurely, and also to close contacts RI I8a for the following holding circuit: line 32|), wire 393, normally closed printer cam contacts PMIS, normally closed relay contacts Ri |919, wire |33, relay contacts RI Ia, relay coil RI I 8 and line 32|. This circuit holds the contacts RI |35 open until the 2a tape perforation is effective to indicate that the leading edge of the ledger sheet is at the star wheel.

76 lDue to the quick action of the pickup coil of relay RI I8 before relay RI I9 opens contacts Rl |9b, relay Rl I8 holds contacts RI ISD open beyond the time of sensing the 2a perforation and until the tape unit circuit breakers 295 and 296 open to extend the ineffective condition of star Wheel contacts 99 until the leading edge is beyond the wheel.

The holding circuit for relay R||9 `is maintained to disable relay R||8 and thereby make thev star wheel contacts effective until a printing operation takes place and printer cam contacts PMIG open. The circuit includes line 329, wire 393, cam contacts Pit/llt, wire |34, relay contacts RII 9a, the holding coil R||9 and Yline 32l.

If there is no marginal perforation 39 near the top of the leading edge of ledger sheet 95 (i. e., if the sheet is a new one with no previously printed lines on the sheet) then the transfer coil R| is energized immediately after relay contacts RI Ib close as an incident to the passage L of the leading edge of the sheet beyond the star wheel. The circuit comprises line 329, wire 4|5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 299, star wheel contacts 99, relay contacts Ri |81), wires |35 and |36, relay R|29 and line 32|. Then relay R|2|) breaks the normally closed contacts R|20a to provide a preliminary delay in the energization of relay R|22 which is energized by relay R|2| when the tape circuit breaker contacts 295 and 296 open to deenergize relay Ri 29. Y Y

If one ormore marginal perforations 99 are detected, the star wheel contacts 99 remainopen and the circuit through relays Ri2t and R|2| is delayed until the star Wheel 9i rides up on the first imperforate marginal portion to close conn tacts 99 and call in relays Rl2l, R|22 and R|23 successively to cause stopping at the posting line.

The first of the delay relays Rli is picked up along with the energization of relay R29 with which it is connected in parallel. The coil of relay R|29 is adapted to operate faster than the pickup coil of relay Rl'i in order to prevent picking up the second relay R|22 through normally'opened contacts Rl 2 Ib when the other contacts R|2|la in series therewith are opened by the absence of a perforation in the first marginal position. The circuit for picking up both relays RIZ!! and R|2| is the one previously described passing through the star wheel contacts 99 and relay contacts RI lsb which are allowed to close due to the action of relays RI l 9 and Ri i9 directly after sensing the tape perforation 2a.

Relay Rl2| not only closes contacts Ri2|b to pick up relay R|22 but it also establishes a holding circuit for itself through the closure contacts R|2|a. The holding circuit includes line 329, wire 393, printer cam contacts Pil/M9, wire |34, wire |31, relay contacts Ri2la, the holding coil of relay R|2| and line 32 l.

The pickup coil of delay relay Rl 22 is energized after the tape circuit breaker contacts 295v and 296 have opened and deenergized the relay RIZU. The circuit is then from line 329 through wires 393 and |38, normally closed relay contacts R|2|la, relay contacts Rl2lb, the pickup coil of relay R|22 and line 32|. Then relay R|22 operates to set up a holding circuit through its contacts R|22a and also closed contacts R|22b to pick up relay R|23. The holding circuit for relay R|22 includes line 329, wire 393, cam contacts PMIS, Wires |34 and |37, contacts Rl22a, through the holding coil of relay R|22 and line 32| The circuit for the pickup coil of relay R|23 is completed when the tape circuit breaker contacts reclose on the next regular space cycle operation of the tape drum. The pickup circuit 20 from line 329, through wire M5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 299, star wheel contacts 99, the normally closed relay contacts RI lb, wire |35. delay relay contacts R|22b, wire |39, the pickup coil of relay RI23 and line 32|.

A holding circuit is established through relay R|23 as follows: line 329, wire 393, cam contacts PMIE, wires |39 and I3?, relay contacts Rl23a, the holding coil of relay R|23 and line 32|.

The delays caused by the successive energization of relays R|2|, R|22 and R|23 have postponed the stopping action of contacts R|23c under control of the last delay relay for a time which is equivalent to one and two-thirds spaces after the absence of a marginal perforation is first detected. As already mentioned, this space is needed to bring the ledger sheet into a position wherein the last marginal perforation is brought from the position under the star wheel to a position at the punch.

The feeding devices are brought to a stop by the energization of high speed relay coils HSI and HSA wired in series with the contacts R|23c of the final delay relay. The stopping circuit is as follows; from line 320 through wire M5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 29B, star wheel contacts 99, normally closed contacts R||8b, relay contacts RI 23e, relay contacts RI |9dl closed during feeding operation, relays HSA and HSI, and wire M9 to line 32 l.

The relays HSIand HSli operate in the usual fashion to control the clutches of the tape feeding unit to bring the feeding devices to a halt as explained hereinbefore. The platen stops with the ledger sheet so positioned that the last marginal perforation 86 is under the punch and the last posting line of print is at the printing line. Since the sheet is advanced one more step before printing takes place, the sheet is properly positioned before printing so that a blank sheet space' is presented at the printing line and a blank marginal area is presented to the punch for perforation after the line of print is recorded. This preliminary upstroke line spacing operation is selected by the ledger posting switch LS3 (Fig. 3a) which is shown to cause a shunt connection around the ordinary relay contacts R861. These contact points Rd are associated with the normal controls detecting the'advancing of the rst card in the tabulator and when they are shunted a circuit is completed through connections extending through the feeding control relay R|9 shown in Fig. 3b. The feeding clutch connections are established for one line space operation thereby advancing the ledger sheet one space along with the upstroke of' the print bars. Therefore the sheet is advanced with the last printed line one line space above the printing line and the sheet is located to receive a line below the line last posted and a new marginal perforation 86 (Fig. 6a) is punched directly below the last marginal perforation.

Not only does relay R|23 determine the time of stopping ,of the ledger sheet through the closure of contacts RI23c, but it also operates through contacts R|23b to perfect a circuit through the card feed auto start relay RI to energize the card feeding clutch magnet in the tabulator. The circuit for relay R||`| includes line 329, wire M5, circuit breaker contacts 295 and 296, star wheel contacts 99, relay contacts RI |819, wire |40 and relay contacts Rl23b, ledger posting control switch LS2, Wire |4|, and relayV RII'I connected to line 32|. Relay RIH then @erates if? close @auch nur@ rrig. sa) ai 

